Orlando City (17-7-9, 60 points) at Toronto FC (4-19-10, 22 points)
When: Saturday, 6:00 PM
Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Radio: 96.9 The Game, (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
What Will Be Decided?
All of Saturday's Eastern Conference matchups are set to kickoff at 6 p.m. ET. The results will determine who Orlando City will face in Round One of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. After locking up the second overall seed for the postseason, the Lions will face the 7-seed in a best-of-three series. Nashville SC currently sits in seventh place, but with only three points separating fifth from seventh both Atlanta United FC and the New England Revolution remain potential Round One opponents for the men from the City Beautiful.
Put The Word Out
Following a 3-2 win over the New England Revolution in its last match, Orlando City SC has secured its spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Previously named the Concacaf Champions League, the Lions will now feature in the tournament for the second year in a row. In last year’s edition of the competition, City played Tigres UANL to 1-1 aggregate draw, falling only on the away goals rule. Orlando City set Club records in 2023 for both points (60) and total wins (17).
A Bit of History
The Lions have gone undefeated against The Reds in recent meetings dating back to the 2021 MLS regular season, recording only one draw in six matches. Their most recent match in the City Beautiful resulted in the Lions' second consecutive 4-0 victory over the Canadian side. With another win of three or more goals, Orlando City could set another record this season, surpassing their Club record of 55 goals in MLS play set in 2016.
Gone International
Multiple Lions received call-ups during the international break with rookie Duncan McGuire receiving his first call-up for the United States National Men’s Olympic Team training camp in Phoenix, Arizona and midfielder Wilfredo Rivera earning time with Puerto Rico. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and midfielder Wilder Cartagena received the call for Peru’s national team, where Gallese earned his 100th cap with La Blanquiroja during their match against Chile. Forward Facundo Torres joined Uruguay for its qualifiers against Colombia and Brazil, while defender Abdi Salim debuted with the Somalia national team as captain for the African side.
Gearing Up
Saturday’s Decision Day match against Toronto FC won’t have any further impact on Orlando City’s place in the table, having already clinched a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs and securing the second overall seed, but will give the Lions an opportunity to fine-tune things one last time ahead of postseason play. Following City’s Decision Day matchup, the Club will host its first playoff at Exploria Stadium since the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Milestone Tracker
- Orlando City is three goals away from setting a new single-season record for regular-season goals, previously scoring 55 in 2016.
- Mauricio Pereyra is three assists away from reaching 50 across all competitions with the Lions.
